Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Dee Wallace | ... | Karen White | |
Patrick Macnee | ... | Dr. George Waggner | |
Dennis Dugan | ... | Chris | |
Christopher Stone | ... | R. William 'Bill' Neill | |
Belinda Balaski | ... | Terry Fisher | |
Kevin McCarthy | ... | Fred Francis | |
John Carradine | ... | Erle Kenton | |
Slim Pickens | ... | Sam Newfield | |
Elisabeth Brooks | ... | Marsha | |
Robert Picardo | ... | Eddie | |
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Margie Impert | ... | Donna |
Noble Willingham | ... | Charlie Barton | |
James Murtaugh | ... | Jerry Warren | |
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James MacKrell | ... | Lew Landers (as Jim McKrell) |
Kenneth Tobey | ... | Older Cop |
In a red light district, newswoman Karen White is bugged by the police, investigating serial killer Eddie Quist, who has been molesting her through phone calls. After police officers find them in a peep-show cabin and shoot Eddie, Karen becomes emotionally disturbed and loses her memory. Hoping to conquer her inner demons, she heads for the Colony, a secluded retreat where the creepy residents are rather too eager to make her feel at home. There also seems to be a bizarre connection between Eddie Quist and this supposedly safe haven. And when, after nights of being tormented by unearthly cries, Karen ventures into the forest and makes a terrifying discovery. Written by Tim Kretschmann <Tim.K@VirComm.com>
Yes! For a change in the horror genre this film does deserve all of the praise, hype, cult following and respect it receives, even from the critics. I would go so far as to even admit that I find this Joe (Gremlins, Innerspace, The 'burbs, Matinee, Small soldiers) Dante flick one of his best crafted works, followed by PIRANHA.
It's always been a toss up between THE HOWLING and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON for the most effective lycanthropy picture of postmodern horror cinema (anything since Psycho). Where John Landis used comedy more blatantly, the humour in THE HOWLING is far more satirical and subversive. Undoubtedly, Rob Bottin's effects steal the show as well as they did for John Carpenter's THE THING. The transformation of Eddie Quist, especially on the revamped DVD is something to behold.
For anyone with a passing interest in the horror genre this is a film to include on that 'TO SEE' list. For fans of werewolf movies this should go on that 'MUST SEE' list.